Recycling and the Environment

Have you been keeping up with the latest recycling challenges? China, our largest customer for recyclables, has started to reduce the amount they will import. This may lead recycling companies to charge to take recyclables, which most likely will be passed on to us. Or, worse yet, our recyclables could end up in landfills. If either of those scenarios trouble you, reusing instead of recycling can help.

Whether you’re on a budget or just want to do your part to protect our environment, recycling and re-purposing household organizing containers make good sense. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Shoe boxes: They’re the perfect size and shape for holding so much more than shoes. Stash small gardening tools, sort socks, or hold special cards. Use your imagination!

Laundry detergent boxes: Decorate with colored paper and use them to hold magazines.

Take home containers: Use them for packing lunches. Here’s a picture of my lunch using take home containers, cloth napkins and a small cooler. Nothing from my lunch ended up in the garbage or recycle bin!

A caveat… if your supply of recycled containers is more than you can ever use, I recommend you recycle rather than hoard them!

The Certified Professional Organizer® (CPO®) credential recognizes professionals who have met specific standards and proven, through examination and client interaction, that they possess the body of knowledge and experience required for certification. This certification program recognizes and raises industry standards, practices and ethics, and lets clients know that CPOs are committed and serious about the work being done.Neat Chic Organizing is independent from BCPO® and is not an employee of BCPO®.

NAPO Professional Members who have worked as a professional organizer for 5 or more years and have been a NAPO member for at least one year are eligible for the prestigious Golden Circle designation.